Hungarian design brand Sekhina has unveiled a series of light switches and sockets made from concrete. These products combine the benefits of modern minimalist design with the humanity and purity of the handcrafted process. As a natural substance, concrete is a more sustainable alternative compared to plastic, although we know that cement is harmful to the environment.
Described as the first of their kind, Sekhina founder Gábor Kasza made the concrete covers for switches and sockets after not being able to find any similar products made from the material.
“Concrete switches and sockets had to exist already – or so we thought initially; it seemed such an obvious idea, but we couldn’t find them anywhere,” said Kasza.
“We thought they would look and feel fantastic, so we created them,” he added. “You can now find the very first completely concrete cover of switches and sockets, made from only silicates – more sustainable and more beautiful.”
“A piece of plastic on the wall can be bizarre, sometimes quite terrible,” he explained. “Interior designers very often try to hide switches and sockets as they blunt the general aesthetics of their work, but they’re functional useful objects.”
“If we have to search for a long time to find them and posture freaky poses to use them – that’s not too comfortable. The answer is concrete.”
“How many times a day do you touch light switches?” he questioned. “If you feel it is better to wear a natural silk scarf than a nylon one and you can feel the difference between the perfume of flowers compared to a cheap toilet fragrance, then surely you will appreciate our products.”
The surface bubbles and blots make up a distinct, unique object with an individual character and personality. If you look closely at the polished Mini Terrazzo surfaces, a lively, colorful, and abstract world opens up. “We hate monotony,” continues Kasza. “There is not one piece the same as another.”
The handmade manufacturing way is not an anachronic technology. It has many advantages. Easy to create almost anything that the customer wishes for, even in small batches. “We can make many varieties, use many colors,” he explains. “This process allows us to tailor the perfect fit combination to your interior.”
“We know that the plastic materials of switches and sockets make up a very low percentage of global plastic pollution, but we think that all of the tiny steps to create a more sustainable future are remarkable,” continues Kasza. “We are very proud that we can offer a better alternative although we know that concrete can harm the environment as well. We do not use artificial resin nor pollutant additives. We just call it a ‘stone to stone’ product.”
“Our products contain only 25% of cement at most, and we use a specially developed concrete recipe that is free of synthetic resins and contaminants, reducing the use of toxic substances significantly,” he explains. “Compared to plastic, our products truly represent a more sustainable choice.”
“To completely neutralize our carbon footprint, we will be planting trees in cooperation with an environmental organization and get advice from environment-protection specialists before starting mass production to ensure that our impact on the environment can be completely neutralized,” concludes Kasza. “Our R&D team will be experimenting with other sustainable materials as well to expand the diversity of our product portfolio.”